Erick
I walked the hallway toward my mother’s chambers with long, purposeful strides, Sophia’s last reassuring touch still lingering on my hand.
As she bailed on me at the last minute. Said she wanted to give us room to talk and bond again.
I told myself I was ready.
I lied.
The moment I reached the familiar carved doors, my chest tightened.
I inhaled once, grounded myself, and pushed them open.
And there he was.
Caleb.
Sitting comfortably at the small round table in my mother’s chamber, my mother’s chamber with a plate of pastries in front of him and a cup of tea in his hand.
And my mother…
Queen Elise…
She was smiling as though she were enjoying herself.
I froze at the threshold.
For a split second, the world seemed to tilt.
I can't take away her laughter.
They were ea
